Furoshiki: Eco Gift Wrap Using Scarves

Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping stuff in fabric: gifts, school books, your lunch, you name it. It's actually very easy: all you need is a cute piece of cloth and your fingers. As a gift wrap, the Furoshiki is perfect: cute, eco and so practical. It also makes you look creative :)

You can even make a cute purse from a scarf: a perfect skill when travelling or at the beach:

Click for instructions

Or a grocery bag. How adorable is this?

Here is one of the many how-to Furoshiki videos online:

I suggest buying cute scarves from a flea market or a set of pretty kitchen cloths (the latter are perfect for kitchen-themed gifts or food). The recipient can chose to keep the fabric or to pass it on by using it to wrap a gift for someone else. Of course, you'll need to tuck it a note with the instructions. The Japanese Govt put up a cute guide which is unfortunately not printer-friendly. Here is my improved version that prints well on a A4 sheet (click to see the big version):

Print out and slip into Furoshiki wrapped gifts!

Since I discovered Furoshiki, I have been searching for scarves in flea markets and wrapping everything possible in them. I hope you have as much fun with them as I do!

Comments (13)

Logging you in...

Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout

Logged in as

0 Vote up Vote down

Amanda · 693 weeks ago

WOW i wish I could totally do something like that but I really am the worst person to wrap ANYTHING ever.
My recent post Trying to Register Spring Semester 2012

Report

1 reply · active 650 weeks ago

0 Vote up Vote down

Fabric Gift Bag · 650 weeks ago

Well it is easy all you need is a fabric to use, well if you have no time you can just purchase a fabric wrapper which is also becoming a gifting trend these days.

Report

+1 Vote up Vote down

jamiegall1930 58p · 693 weeks ago

How cool is this??? Thanks for posting!
My recent post Mission Inn, Riverside, CA

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Saija · 693 weeks ago

Thanks for a great blog! I have two bra-fitting questions: What does it mean when underwires make a squeaky sound when I move? This is not about laundry detergent that hasn't come off, since it happens to me in new bras, too.

My second question is about bra straps digging in. Does it necessarily mean the band is too big or can it be a sign of a too small cup size? I'm a big girl, so the right band size is hard to find. Fat compresses so that I can wear even a 38 band, but it's so small it hurts. Band 40 is usually pretty firm, but I still get pain from straps digging in.

I'm forever thankful if you can figure these out!

Report

3 replies · active 693 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

eternalvoyageur 69p · 693 weeks ago

Hey Saija, About the straps: normally this would mean your band is too loose and your cups too small. If the straps dig in that means they are carrying the weight of the bra, not the band. What feels like a too tight band can often be discomfort caused by underwires of too small cups. So probably you might need a smaller band and a bigger cup. What is your ribcage measurement? Go to the Bra Matrix tab on the top and read my posts on bands and straps, they should explain a lot. And, most importantly, go to the post that tells you how to measure yourself.
What happens if you loosen the straps? Does the band still support your breasts?
As for the squeaking, I will get back to you on that.

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Saija · 693 weeks ago

Thanks for a quick answer! I measure about 100 cm underbust (firm but not a tight measure) and I usually use 90/40 band. If I use a 100/44 band, it starts riding up in the back. Sometimes it even rides up with a 42/95 band!

I forgot to mention my straps dig in the most in wireless bras. In wired bras the straps feel a bit heavy but don't really dig in. I don't really know how a wireless bra is supposed to fit: I've never had the central gore lying flat against my sternum in wireless bras. Maybe it's not even possible in very large cup sizes...? In Panache's support wireless bras I have gone up in the cup (actually, many cup sizes: usually wear G/GG, in them HH and now I'm going to try the J).

I'm looking forward to your answer in the noisy underwires question, as well. :-)

Report

+1 Vote up Vote down

eternalvoyageur 69p · 693 weeks ago

Hey, do read the post about big bands: they are usually more stretchy than small bands, so you might want to wear a smaller one than the calculator tells you. I'd advise you to skip wireless bras, they usually don't lie well at all. There is a post I wrote about wireless bras with a diagram -- that should explain why the straps dig in. Basically the underwires improve the support from below, so the straps have less work to do, that is why I recommend underwired bras. Is there any specific reason why you are avoiding underwires? I have also written a post for people who can't wear them due to special reasons like sensitive skin etc. If you simply find underwires uncomfortable (like I used to) believe me -- with the right size and right underwire width it get quite comfortable.
A blog post on the squeaks will come soon!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Shelley · 693 weeks ago

What a great & adorable idea, it's almost like getting an extra gift! Thanks for sharing this with us!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Mich · 693 weeks ago

Hi, once you start using furoshiki it gets a bit addictive I find - It's amazing how many ways there are to use a simple square of cloth! and how effective it is! Thanks for including a link to my stripey bag wrap instructions and for an interesting blog.
My recent post Christmas wrapping

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Lisa · 693 weeks ago

I've done this before - though not in such a beautiful fashion! (Rather my own, slap dash sorta thing <G> ;) I love it and cant wait to try more!
My recent post Christmas Music~December 20, 2011

Report

+1 Vote up Vote down

debraarchibald 52p · 693 weeks ago

I LOVED this post! Thank you for opening me up to new ideas - wonderful x

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Modern Gypsy · 693 weeks ago

Wow, this looks amazing! I'm going to try it out next time.
My recent post It’s all about the model, honey: Why India’s newspaper industry is set to grow and grow

Report

-1 Vote up Vote down

Cloth Gift Bags · 622 weeks ago

This kind of gift wrapping had started in Japan and now it is becoming a new trend in some countries since the cloth gift bag is reusable and it comes in several designs.

Report